Update #32 – Gorsebrook Park Meeting, Issues, Volunteer Awards, and more

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This edition: click here for news, or here to read about upcoming public hearings or community events.

NEWS

Happy fall!  October is my favorite month because of the leaves, the crisp cold air, and Nocturne, Halifax Pop Explosion and Halcon all in a row!  More info on these and other events below.

Recently I have been thinking about how wide the breadth of issues is that I tackle over the course of a month.  I thought I would list off a couple that come to mind:

  • We have voted to keep board run community centres like the Forum, but to move toward a “one card, one fee” model for recreation, which should help level out access for citizens around the region.
  • I made a notice of motion on the plague of loud mufflers and car engine noisethat we have been experiencing, and have heard from staff that they think we might be able to deal with this under an amended noise bylaw rather than wait for the province to amend the Motor Vehicle Act.
  • We appear to have made some significant progress on getting a new affordable long term lease on Spencer House for the daycare and seniors centre, while also freeing up some money for much needed renovations, and this was a lot more work than you would expect!
  • We celebrated Mi’kmaw Treaty Day with a flag raising, and Mayor Savage noted the work that he and Councillor Watts and I have been putting into developing deeper and more formal relationships with our urban aboriginal population.
  • Next week we will receive the Housing Needs Assessment report that will talk about what the challenges are in terms of housing low income and vulnerable citizens in HRM.  This will guide our actions, and the provinces, as we tackle this problem!
  • We finally got the worst of the potholes patched on Ridgewood Drive, which was complicated and slow as the road is classified as “non-accepted/private”.

These are just six of the hundreds of things that come through my office in the course of month! It can be overwhelming at times but is always rewarding.

Under the category of making more work for myself and staff, please consider attending my Gorsebrook Park Meeting on Thursday October 29 6:30pm-8:30pm.   I am bringing together the teams and leagues the book the fields as well as the community association, school communities and of course residents. Gorsebrook Park is the heart of our community, and it needs a little love in return.

UPDATE:  There is now an Aviva fundraiser underway to help update Gorsebrook Park – MORE HERE

We will talk about about the history of the park, how it is used, and then start to explore ideas about how we can make it even better! The Gorsebrook park meeting is being hosted at Saint Mary’s in Loyola L283, which is second floor of the Loyola building, on the south side of the campus.

I also have a page on my site that is easy to share and has a map of where Loyola is for those that do not know the campus that well.  https://wayemason.ca/2015/09/28/thursday-oct-29-gorsebrook-park-meeting/

Finally, the 2016 Volunteer Award nominations are now open! Each year the Halifax Regional Municipality, the Mayor and Regional Council recognize the extraordinary contributions of individuals and groups who volunteer their time and skills to provide services and programs in our communities. This year’s nomination deadline is Friday, December 11, 2015. There are several categories for adult, youth, and group volunteers. For nomination forms and full list of criteria, please visithttp://www.halifax.ca/volunteerservices/awards/ or call 902-490-1573.

PUBLIC HEARINGS & INFO MEETINGS

Halifax & West Community Council Meeting
October 14, 2015 6-8p.m. | Halifax Council Chambers, City Hall
The next meeting of Halifax & West Community Council is scheduled for Wednesday October 14th. Please visit http://www.halifax.ca/Commcoun/west/index.php to view the agenda and past meeting minutes.

Public Information Meeting
October 21, 2015 7-9 p.m. | Halifax Forum
District 7 & 8 Planning and Advisory Committee will host a public information meeting on Case 19531- an application by WM Fares Group on behalf of Young Developments Inc. to amend the Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy and Halifax Peninsula Land Use By-Law to permit a 5-storey commercial/office tower adjacent Young Street and two mixed use towers (16-storeys adjacent Windsor Street and 21-storeys at the norther corner of the site). For more information on this case, visithttp://www.halifax.ca/planning/applications/case19531details.php

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Atlantic Flamenco Festival
Now to October 9, 2015 | various locations around HRM
The Atlantic Flamenco Festival celebrates everything flamenco; the Roma-inspired Spanish art form! During the festival there will be free concerts, local talent features, workshops, and a gala featuring dancer Joaquin Grilo, voted best flamenco dancer in Spain. Visit http://flamencofestival.ca/ for full event details.

Mosaic for Mental Health Art Exhibition and Sale
October 15, 2015- November 1st, 2015 | Craig Gallery, Alderney Landing
For the past 17 years the Mosaic for Mental Health Art Exhibition and Sale has grown into a memorable, cherished event and the signature fundraiser for the Canadian Mental Health Association Halifax-Dartmouth Branch. Artwork is donated by hundreds of artists of all skill levels from across Canada and around the world. Proceeds raised through the sale of artwork go directly toward support programs that CMHA Halifax-Dartmouth provides to individuals living with mental illness. For more information, please visithttp://www.novascotia.com/events/festivals-and-events/mosaic-for-mental-health-art-exhibition-sale/-2388

Curbside Giveaway Weekend
October 17-18, 2015 | Municipal-wide
Curbside Giveaway Weekend aims to reduce the amount of garbage ending up in HRM’s landfill by diverting unwanted items to be re-used. Reusing and recycling household items instead of discarding them reduces pressures on our municipal facilities, and is a great way to get rid of your under-used items and find some great FREE stuff! For information on how the giveaway works, please go tohttp://www.halifax.ca/recycle/CGAW.php

Municipal Campaign School for Women
October 17, 2015 9a.m.-4 p.m.| Mount Saint Vincent University
The Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women will be holding a Municipal Campaign School for Women on Saturday, October 17 from 9-4 at Mount St. Vincent University. This campaign school will be specifically designed for women seeking municipal leadership opportunities in the Halifax Regional Municipality.  Registration deadline is Oct. 2. The event is free of charge, with free parking, and a limited number of bursaries are available to assist those with child care or elder care expenses.  For more information or to register, please visit http://women.gov.ns.ca/content/registration-open-municipal-campaign-school-2015.

Nocturne at Night
October 17, 2015 | Various
One of the best nights celebrating art in Halifax is back for another year! This free event showcases the visual arts scene in Halifax and provides residents with an opportunity to experience art in a whole new light. The Nocturne Program Guide provides details about exhibitions in galleries and public spaces throughout the city. To view the guide and more information, visit http://nocturnehalifax.ca/

Blind MacNair: A Story of Old Nova Scotia
October 17, 2015 7:30pm | Universalist Unitarian Church, 5500 Inglis Street
Blind MacNair: A story of old Nova Scotia will be presented by storyteller Claire Miller along with singer Clary Croft and fiddler Kate Dunlay. Tickets are $20 at the door and a reception will follow the performance. Seats can be reserved in advance by calling 902-425-8928 or by emailing clairemiller@ns.sympatico.ca.

Purple Hike for Epilepsy
October 18, 2015 1-5p.m. | Halifax Commons
Come out and support epilepsy, wear purple, and walk, run or roll the Halifax Commons. There will be lots of activities for kids and families including balloon animals, face painting, and prizes. For more information or to register, visithttp://epilepsyns.org/event/purple-hike-for-epilepsy/

Halifax Pop Explosion
October 20-24, 2015 | various locations around HRM
HPX is the Halifax Pop Explosion, an international music festival and conference that presents 180 bands in 20 venues over 5-days to over 30,000 fans and industry delegates from around the world. The Halifax Pop Explosion continues to reach a diverse audience and provides considerable exposure for new and innovative talent in genres from hip hop to punk, to folk and indie rock. For full schedule and information on tickets, visit http://halifaxpopexplosion.com/

Light the Night Halifax
October 24, 2015 5-8p.m. | Garrison Grounds
Come out and support those touched by cancer at the 5th annual Light the Night Halifax Walk, a 4.25 km walk through beautiful downtown Halifax. There is no registration fee or minimum to fundraise, although those raising $100 or more will receive a lantern and t-shirt. For more information, please visithttps://www.facebook.com/LightTheNightAtlantic?_rdr=p

Gorsebrook Park Meeting
Thursday October 29 6:30pm-8:30pm | Loyola 283 Saint Mary’s
Please join me for a meeting of residents and regular users of Gorserbook Park. I am bringing together the teams and leagues the book the fields as well as the community association, school communities and of course residents. Gorsebrook Park is the heart of our community, and it needs a little love in return. https://wayemason.ca/2015/09/28/thursday-oct-29-gorsebrook-park-meeting

Hal-Con | October 30th– November 1st 2015 | World Trade and Convention Centre + Scotiabank Centre
Hal-Con is the largest sci-fi, fantasy, and gaming convention in Atlantic Canada, encompassing the full-spectrum of geekdom including comic books, science fiction, fantasy, gaming, cyberpunk, steampunk, renaissance, anime, and anything else of the fantastical. The gathering includes music, stage shows, small social gaming circles, and the chance to rub elbows with the famous and infamous of geek pop-culture. For more information, visit http://www.hal-con.com/